Periodic Table of WIS

Aluminium  Al

 

Where is aluminium used--or where does it impact our everyday lives?

 

Used in aluminium foil for many household uses including cooking

 

Aluminum is a low density metal--it is light.  Aluminum's density is 2.7 g/cm3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

80 % of modern commercial aircraft are made of aluminum or aluminum alloys.  The 12-horse power engine block of the Wright brothers' first aircraft in 1903, the Wright Flyer, was made of aluminum. 

The airframe of the aircraft in the photograph--a World-War II Vicker's Wellington bomber--is made of an aluminum alloy, duralumin (94% aluminum,Al, 4% copper, Cu, 1% magnesium, Mg, 1% manganese, Mn).

 

 

Aluminum  symbol: Al
Solid at room temperature
Melting point: 660°C [1220°F]
Boiling point: 2520°C [4570°F]
Density at RT: 2.70 g/cm3

Electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p1
Hazard: Al powder is flammable and a fire hazard
Reactions with air/oxygen: If the layer aluminum oxide is damaged, burns brightly.

4Al + 3O2 -->2Al2O3 and   6Li + N2  -->  2Li3N
Insoluble in water
Source: LANL.gov Researcher: Brian D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corundum is a mineral made of aluminum oxide, Al2O3.  If iron is present, the blue gem sapphire is formed.

These gems were viewed at the National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC during a Chemistry One field trip.

In the center the 98.6 carat sapphire from Burma, on the right is the Logan sapphire, 423 carats from Sri Lanka.  In the right is the Hall diamond and sapphire necklace with 36 matched sapphires totaling 195 carats from Sri Lanka

WIS Photographer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Muscovite, Fe3Al2(SiO4)3 with alamandine garnet from Deer Park Mine, Penland, North Caroline, USA viewed at the National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC during a Chemistry One field trip.